China boasts a diversity of ethnic cultures, with 55 minority groups scattered across the country. To celebrate China's unique cultural heritage, Mile City in Southwest China's Yunnan Province is hosting an ethnic culture festival and a cultural heritage exhibition.

To celebrate China's unique cultural heritage, Mile City in Southwest China's Yunnan Province is hosting an ethnic culture festival and a cultural heritage exhibition.

Mile City's ethnic culture festival and cultural heritage exhibition is a grand showcase of intangible cultural heritage in Yunnan Province.  The event exhibits cultural heritage from several Chinese ethnic groups, including folk art from across Yunnan Province. Traditional singing, dancing and instrumental performances by artists from China's Yi ethnic group are a highlight at this year's event.

"The music is very traditional and it tells our own stories from everyday life. I grew up listening to this music and performing it myself. It's an essential part of our cultural identity," said Li Baomei, folk artist.

Apart from ethnic performing arts, there are also many other types of traditional folk art on display, including shadow puppet making, traditional Dongba painting, and beautiful Bai embroidery. Visitors say they are impressed by the folk artists' skill and the artists say they are having a great experience too.

"I have participated in this event many times and it's getting better and better. It's a great event to promote our ethnic culture and our heritage. So I feel great every time I come here," said Jia Zhengfu, folk artist.

"This event provides a great platform to showcase our traditions and also communicate with other folk artists. I'm truly happy to be here and I've met many great musicians from other minority groups," said Li Baomei.

Now in its 7th year, Mile City's ethnic culture festival and cultural heritage exhibition has become a major platform to promote the preservation of Yunnan's cultural heritage. Event organizers place a high importance on teaching China's younger generation to appreciate traditional skills.

China has established 18 protective zones to preserve Chinese cultural heritage, mainly in provinces with multiple ethnic groups like Yunnan Province.